SBA-15 supports modified by Ti and Zr grafting for NiMo hydrodesulfurization catalysts

A series of Ti- and Zr-containing mesoporous SBA-15 supports and their respective NiMo catalysts were prepared to study the effect of the Ti and Zr loading into the support on the characteristics of Ni and Mo surface species and their catalytic activity in the 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS). Ti and Zr-containing SBA-15 solids with different metal loading (up to 19 wt.% of TiO₂ or 22 wt.% of ZrO₂) were prepared by chemical grafting. The solids prepared were characterized by N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), chemical analysis and HRTEM. The results show that Ti- and Zr-SBA-15 supports with highly dispersed Ti and Zr species can be obtained without substantial loss of SBA-15 characteristics. Zr grafted species showed somewhat better dispersion on the SBA-15 surface than the corresponding Ti counterparts. It was found that TiO₂ and, especially, ZrO₂ incorporation in the SBA-15 support leads to stronger interaction of Mo and Ni species with the support providing better dispersion to the oxidic and sulfided metal species (XRD, TPR, HRTEM). NiMo catalysts supported on Ti- and Zr-containing SBA-15 showed high activity in 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene HDS. It can be concluded therefore that SBA-15 materials grafted with Ti or Zr species show promising features as supports for Mo-based hydrotreating catalysts.     

Effect of Zr-SBA-15 support on catalytic functionalities of Mo, CoMo, NiMo hydrotreating catalysts

SBA-15 and ZrO₂ (10–50 wt.%) containing SBA-15 mesoporous materials were prepared by direct and post-synthesis methods. Characterization using low angle XRD, pore size distribution, CO₂ chemisorption indicate that hexagonal mesoporous structure is retained even after ZrO₂ addition (25 wt.%). Mo, CoMo and NiMo catalysts prepared using these supports were examined by XRD, oxygen chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The catalysts were tested for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene and hydrogenation (HYD) of cyclohexene. HDS of thiophene for 8%Mo, 3%Co8%Mo, and 3%Ni8%Mo increases with increasing ZrO₂ loading in SBA-15 up to 25 wt.%. Oxygen chemisorption and TPR hydrogen consumption indicated that the molybdenum dispersion and anion vacancies, and catalytic activities are significantly influenced by ZrO₂ content in Zr-SBA-15. A comparison indicated that TiO₂-SBA-15, ZrO₂-SBA-15 supported CoMo catalysts show higher activities for hydrodesulfurization.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co-containing SBA-15 catalysts

Two Co-SBA-15 catalysts were synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, porosity, UV–visible diffuse reflectance and temperature programmed reduction with H₂. The first catalyst was prepared synthesizing SBA-15 and then adding Co ions by impregnation (Co_imprSBA-15). The second catalyst was prepared using a more complex procedure of immobilization of cobalt ions in the presence of pyridine and H₂O₂ on –COOH groups anchored to the SBA-15 structure [Co-SBA-15(COOH)]. These COOH groups were created starting from cyano groups introduced during the synthesis of the periodic mesoporous materials as 4-triethoxysilylbutyronitrile. Characterization of the samples indicates that in both cases the typical 2D periodical hexagonal structure of SBA-15 was obtained, but with less ordered packing in the second case. The cobalt is highly dispersed in the SBA-15 (up to 9% w/w) and is present mainly as Co²⁺ ions in highly distorted tetrahedral or square pyramidal coordination. Some coordinatively unsaturated Co(II) Lewis acid centers are present in Co_imprSBA-15, while in Co-SBA-15(COOH) coordination of pyridine to cobalt tentatively may induce the formation of Co³⁺ ions, although in both catalysts the dominant species are Co²⁺ ions in a very close environment.     

A comparative investigation on the properties of Cr-SBA-15 and CrOx/SBA-15

High-surface area and well-ordered mesoporous Cr-incorporated SBA-15 (Cr-SBA-15) and SBA-15-supported chromia (CrO_x/SBA-15) with Cr surface density = 0.05–1.11 Cr-atom/nm² have been prepared, respectively, using the one-step synthesis and incipient wetness impregnation method, and characterized by AAS, XRD, BET, ESEM, TEM, XPS, laser Raman, UV-Vis, FT-IR, and H₂-TPR. It is observed that the Cr-SBA-15 and CrO_x/SBA-15 samples showed an evolution of surface morphology from long chain-shaped to short rod-like and further to an irregularly spherical architecture at elevated Cr content, which might arise from the interaction of Cr ions or CrO_x domains with SBA-15. There were co-presence of tetrahedrally coordinated mono- and poly-chromate (Cr⁶⁺) as well as octahedrally coordinated Cr³⁺ species in Cr-SBA-15 and CrO_x/SBA-15, with the Cr⁶⁺ species being dominant at Cr surface density ≤0.22 Cr-atom/nm² in Cr-SBA-15 and Cr ≤0.54 Cr-atom/nm² in CrO_x/SBA-15, whereas the amount of the Cr³⁺ species increased markedly at Cr surface density ≥0.53 Cr-atom/nm² due to the formation of crystal Cr₂O₃ phase. Maximal Cr incorporation into Cr-SBA-15 and one monolayer surface CrO_x coverage on CrO_x/SBA-15 occurred at Cr surface density ≤0.53 Cr-atom/nm² and <1.11 Cr-atom/nm², respectively. The CrO_x/SBA-15 samples exhibited better reducibility than the Cr-SBA-15 samples, with the best reducibility exhibited at Cr surface densities of 0.54 and 0.12 Cr-atom/nm², respectively.     

Hydrotreating of gas oil on SBA-15 supported NiMo catalysts

The siliceous and the metal substituted (B or Al)-SBA-15 molecular sieves were used as a support for NiMo hydrotreating catalysts (12 wt.% Mo and 2.4 wt.% Ni). The supports were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. The SBA-15 supported NiMo catalysts in oxide state were characterized by BET surface area analysis and XRD. The sulfided NiMo/SBA-15 catalysts were examined by DRIFT of CO adsorption and TPD of NH₃. The HDN and HDS activities with bitumen derived light gas oil at industrial conditions showed that Al substituted SBA-15 (Al-SBA-15) is the best among the supports studied for NiMo catalyst. A series of NiMo catalysts containing 7–22 wt.% Mo with Ni/Mo weight ratio of 0.2 was prepared using Al-SBA-15 support and characterized by BET surface area analysis, XRD and temperature programmed reduction and DRIFT spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The DRIFT spectra of adsorbed CO showed the presence of both unpromoted and Ni promoted MoS₂ sites in all the catalysts, and maximum “NiMoS” sites concentration with 17 wt.% of Mo loading. The HDN and HDS activities of NiMo/Al-SBA-15 catalysts were studied using light gas oil at temperature, pressure and WHSV of 370 °C, 1300 psig and 4.5 h⁻¹, respectively. The NiMo/Al-SBA-15 catalyst with 17 wt.% Mo and 3.4 wt.% of Ni is found to be the best catalyst. The HDN and HDS activities of this catalyst are comparable with the conventional Al₂O₃ supported NiMo catalyst in real feed at industrial conditions.     

MgO-modified VOx/SBA-15 as catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane

VO_x catalysts supported on SBA-15 with and without MgO modification were prepared and characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, HRTEM, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD and XPS. Compared to the VO_x/SBA-15 catalyst, the VO_x/MgO/SBA-15 ones exhibit much higher C₄-olefins selectivity and yield in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the rise in VO_x reducibility as well as to the relatively lower acidity of the MgO-modified SBA-15 materials.     

Deep HDS over NiMo/Zr-SBA-15 catalysts with varying MoO3 loading

In the present work, with the aim of searching for new, highly effective catalysts for deep HDS, a series of NiMo catalysts with different MoO₃ loadings (6–30 wt.%) was prepared using SBA-15 material covered with ZrO₂-monolayer as a support. Prepared catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, small- and wide-angle XRD, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, SEM-EDX and HRTEM, and their catalytic activity was evaluated in the 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS). It was observed that ZrO₂ incorporation on the SBA-15 surface improves the dispersion of the Ni-promoted oxidic and sulfided Mo species, which were found to be highly dispersed, up to 18 wt.% of MoO₃ loading. Further increase in metal charge resulted in the formation of MoO₃ crystalline phase and an increase in the stacking degree of the MoS₂ particles. All NiMo catalysts supported on ZrO₂-modified SBA-15 material showed high activity in HDS of 4,6-DMDBT. The best catalyst having 18 wt.% MoO₃ and 4.5 wt.% NiO was almost twice more active than the reference NiMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. High activity of NiMo/Zr-SBA-15 catalysts and its evolution with metal loading was related to the morphological characteristics of the MoS₂ active phase determined by HRTEM.     

Effect of pore structure of SBA-15 on immobilization of hemoglobin

Immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) in SBA-15 with various pore sizes by physical adsorption was studied. The structure changes of mesoporous SBA-15 before and after the immobilization of Hb were characterized by N₂ adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV). The results indicate that SBA-15 is a good support for the immobilization of Hb due to its regular structure, large pore diameter, and high surface area. After immobilization of Hb, the regular structure of SBA-15 is still kept, but the pore diameter, pore volume and surface area decrease. With the increase of pore size, the binding amount and leaching amount of Hb increase. There is a maximum binding amount of Hb up to 355.2 mg/g _SBA-15 when pore size is 8.9 nm. It is suggested that the immobilization of Hb depends significantly on the pore size of SBA-15.     

Microporosity in Mesoporous SBA-15 Supports: A Factor Influencing the Catalytic Performance of Immobilized Metalloporphyrin

MnTMPyP cationic metalloporphyrin was immobilized by means of ion exchange on a series of aluminated SBA-15 mesoporous silica supports prepared by different methods. The solids were characterized with XRD, HRTEM, HRSEM, chemical analysis, and nitrogen sorption isotherms. The catalysts were tested in the reaction of cyclohexene oxidation with iodozobenzene. It was found that immobilization significantly enhances catalytic activity as compared to the homogeneous system. In contrast to previously investigated metalloporphyrin catalysts immobilized on aluminated HMS, MCM-41 or FSM-16 type supports, where too narrow pores limited the formation of epoxide and enhanced allylic oxidation, the use of aluminated large pore SBA-15 solids favoured the epoxidation pathway and resulted in yields significantly higher than in the case of homogeneous reaction. The catalysts showed important differences in the level of allylic oxidation. Analysis of various factors potentially influencing the product distribution demonstrates that the key role in determining the contribution of allylic oxidation is the microporosity nature of the support, in particular, the lack or presence of supermicropores capable of accommodating metalloporphyrin species. The MnTMPyP centres confined in supermicropores experience steric limitations, which do not allow for the formation of epoxide and favour allylic oxidation.     

SBA-15 as Support for MoS2 and Co-MoS2 Catalysts Derived from Thiomolybdate Complexes in the Reaction of HDS of DBT

Molybdenum sulfide and cobalt-molybdenum sulfide catalysts supported on mesoporous SBA-15 were prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium thiomolybdate (ATM). SBA-15 was synthesized at 353 K and 413 K to obtain pore diameters of about 6 and 9 nm, respectively. The (Co)-MoS₂/SBA-15 catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂-physisorption and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). HRTEM images give evidence for the presence of a poorly dispersed MoS₂ phase with long MoS₂ slabs and a pronounced MoS₂ stacking. The catalytic performance in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was examined at T = 623 K and P = 3.4 MPa. The Co-MoS₂/SBA-15 materials show a relatively high catalytic activity with a strong preference for the direct desulfurization (DDS) pathway. This is an interesting result in view of the significant stacking of MoS₂ particles and the size of the slabs. The generation of the catalytically active CoMoS phase and a large number of coordinately unsaturated sites (CUS) may explain the high performance of Co promoted MoS₂/SBA-15 catalysts in the HDS reaction. A confinement effect of the mesoporous channels of SBA-15 is observed for the unpromoted MoS₂/SBA-15 catalysts. SBA-15 with 9 nm channel diameter with 11 wt.% Mo loading shows a higher selectivity for the hydrogenation pathway than SBA-15 with 6 nm channel and 16 wt.% Mo loading.     

不同制备条件对SBA-15介孔氧化硅的形貌、比表面积和孔径分布的影响

研究了表面活性剂用量、水解过程中维持搅拌或静置、水热或微波辐射陈化等反应条件或因素对合成SBA-15的形貌、比表面积以及孔径大小和分布的影响及规律。结果表明,在P123中增加CTAB表面活性剂的用量,所得SBA-15形貌由棒状逐渐转变为球型颗粒;硅源水解过程中,搅拌会使产物倾向于呈现棒状颗粒,而静置水解则有利于成球颗粒的形成。与水热陈化处理相比,微波能快速方便地合成形貌规则、比表面积大且孔径较均一的SBA-15。     

Co-Mo／SBA-15柴油加氢脱硫研究

以介孔分子筛SBA-15为载体,担载Co—Mo双金属活性组分制备了深度加氢脱硫催化剂。通过XRD和BET表征表明,负载金属后SBA-15分子筛仍然保持二维晶相结构,表面积略有下降。以直馏柴油为原料,在固定床反应器上评价了催化剂的脱硫反应活性的结果表明,SBA-15介孔分子筛Co—Mo的负载量为W（CoO）=5％,w（MoO3）=25％;脱硫适宜的反应条件为：反应温度360℃,压力4．0MPa,氢油体积比400．0,空速2．0h^-1。在此条件下,柴油硫含量可由1350μg／g降至39μg／g。     

Selective oxidation of indole by chloroperoxidase immobilized on the mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15

The selective oxidation of hydrocarbons is an important value-enhancing chemical transformation in particular with respect to fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals production. Enzymatic oxidations operate under mild reaction conditions and produce little if any waste. However, its industrial use is still limited mainly due to their high cost and the low space time yields. In the present work, chloroperoxiase from Calariomyces fumago immobilized on the mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15 was applied for the oxidation of indole to 2-oxoindole using hydrogen peroxide or tert.-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidants. The performance of the immobilized enzyme was found to be superior to native chloroperoxidase with respect to maximum conversion and pH range applicable. However, immobilized CPO is still sensitive to high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The use of tert.-buty hydroperoxide is found to avoid this problem, but the reaction rate is significantly reduced.     

Incorporation of a tungsten Fischer-type metal carbene covalently bound to functionalized SBA-15

A metal Fischer carbene [(CO)₅WC(φ)OCH₂CH₃] was covalently linked for the first time to the silanol groups of the mesoporous channels of SBA15 by following two different synthetic anchoring routes. The first one goes through the reaction of the SBA15 mesoporous silica walls functionalized by aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) with a tungsten carbene Wφ, while in the second approach a precursor synthesized by reacting APTES with the carbene Wφ is then anchored via a direct bond to the silanol groups in the interior pore channels of SBA-15.

This tethering is helpful to prevent the decomposition of the metallic complex. XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, and TEM analysis provide strong evidence that the mesoporous support structure retains its long-range ordering after the grafting process, despite a significant reduction of its specific surface area, pore-volume and pore-size. The chemical bonding of the tungsten carbene to the silanol groups of SBA-15 materials was studied with solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Both ¹³C MAS NMR and ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR spectra confirm the covalent linking of the carbene to the silica-pore system.     

On the mechanical stability of mesoporous silica SBA-15

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 was synthesised at 80 °C. The calcined solids were exposed to a unilateral external pressure in the range 16–191 MPa in order to monitor the impact of the mechanical pressure on the properties of SBA-15. N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, XRD and UV-Raman spectroscopy was used in order to evaluate the changes occurring in the SBA-15. For the XRD measurement, an internal Si standard was used to correct the position of the SBA-15 patterns. It appeared that the elevated pressure has no influence on the hexagonal cell parameter a. Through the N₂ sorption measurements the fraction of the preserved mesoporous structure was estimated to be 60% when the highest pressure has been used. As the remaining part of the material is irreversibly disintegrated into small particles, the pressed sample is considered to be heterogeneous. However, the preserved fraction is slightly modified, showing a smaller pore width and plugs located within the mesopores. The plugs most likely originate from a disintegrated fraction of the SBA-15. UV-Raman spectroscopy shows that the relative intensity of the band associated with the siliceous network (ω₁) has decreased on the pressed samples resulting in a less ordered material possessing an enhanced population of silanols as compared to parent SBA-15. We propose that the disorder introduced by pressing is responsible for the observed expansion of the SBA-15 walls, which is detected for the samples treated at higher pressures (112, 191 MPa).     

超声对Cu(I)/SBA-15脱硫吸附剂制备和性能的影响

分别采用超声浸渍法和普通浸渍法制备了Cu(I)/SBA-15吸附剂,利用静态吸附实验比较了这两种方法制备的吸附剂在模型汽油中的噻吩吸附脱硫性能,并利用BET,TEM,XPS等手段对所制备的吸附剂进行了表征.结果表明,超声浸渍法制备的Cu(I)/SBA-15吸附剂的脱硫性能明显优于普通浸渍法制备的吸附剂.BET结果显示,超声促进了活性组分铜在吸附剂表面的分散.TEM分析表明,在超声场下制备的Cu(I)/SBA-15吸附剂表面的铜粒子颗粒较小,且分布均匀.XPS分析显示,超声有效地提高了铜离子在吸附剂表面的负载量,并且促进Cu(I)在其表面含量的增加,从而有利于吸附脱硫性能的提高.     

Promoting the CO2 adsorption in the amine-containing SBA-15 by hydroxyl group

Novel CO₂ capturer with a high efficiency is fabricated through dispersing the amine mixture of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and diethanolamine (DEA) or glycerol within the as-synthesized mesoporous silica SBA-15, and the resulting sample is characterized by low angle X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption to evaluate the distribution of the guest. The influence of hydroxyl group on the CO₂ adsorption capacity of the composite is investigated by using CO₂-TPD and TG–MS techniques. The hydroxyl group of the P123 ((EO)₂₀(PO)₇₀(EO)₂₀, template preserved in as-synthesized SBA-15) and the guest could promote the capture of CO₂ by the amine through changing the interaction mechanism. In addition, the presence of hydroxyl group promotes the formation of the intermediate between CO₂ and the amine with a lower thermal stability hence the CO₂ trapped by the composite is easier to be desorbed and thus the regeneration of adsorbent is facilitated. Therefore, using this mixed amine (TEPA and DEA) modified as-synthesized SBA-15 as CO₂ capturer not only saves the energy for removal of template, but also cut down the cost in the preparation and regeneration of CO₂ capturer, which is critical in CO₂ separation and capture.     

Use of mesoporous SBA-15 for nanostructuring titania for photocatalytic applications

SBA15–TiO₂ samples prepared by introducing titanium with a grafting method and having TiO₂ loadings below 15 wt.% have been characterized by XRF, XRD, IR, porosimetry, SEM, HRTEM, and UV–Visible diffuse reflectance. Differently from the samples reported in the literature characterized by a high TiO₂ loading, no evidences have been found for the presence of titania particles inside or outside the mesopores of SBA-15. Three different titanium species were instead evidenced to be present. The first two derive from the reaction of titanium with silanol groups in the corona area of inner SBA-15 walls leading to the formation of either TiO₄ tetrahedral sites (by reaction by hydroxyl nests of surface defect sites) and/or pseudo-octahedral surface sites anchored by two (or more) Si or Ti ions through bridging oxygens. The third species derives from the reaction of titanium in the regions with high sylanol density, e.g. in the micropores located in the corona of SBA-15 channels, leading to the formation of TiO₂-like nanoareas (probably Si-doped) with dimensions of around 1–2 nm maximum. The potential interest of these materials as photocatalysts, for the presence of a TiO₂-like nanoareas highly accessible by reactants, is discussed.     

Flash induction calcination: A powerful tool for total template removal and fine tuning of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance in SBA-15 type silica mesoporous materials

A new rapid calcination method has been used to completely remove the organic template from SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica, and to preserve a high number of silanol in these materials. This calcination method provided by an induction furnace was found to considerably reduce the calcination time and therefore the energy consumption associated. Moreover, adjustment of both calcination temperature and duration allowed tuning the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the mesoporous SBA-15 silica materials. For comparison, short and long time conventional muffle furnace calcination was performed. The induction calcination was also successfully applied to different type of mesoporous silica materials such as SBA-16 and MCM-41.     

Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties of the Mo2C/SBA-15 catalysts

A series of Mo₂C/SBA-15 catalysts with different Mo contents were prepared by temperature-programmed carburization (TPC). The materials obtained and their oxide precursors (MoO₃/SBA-15) were characterized by Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The activities of the catalysts for deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene were evaluated. The results of N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms indicated that the surface area and pore diameter of the oxide precursors increase after carburization. The XRD patterns show that Mo₂C particles are highly dispersed in the SBA-15 ordered mesoporous. The test results show that Mo₂C/SBA-15 catalysts have an excellent performance for the deep HDS under the lower temperature region.